Dust-cap j



M. F. PATTON. DUST CAP FOR VALVE. STEM'S.

RENEwED JUNE I4. |917.

. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1915. 1,358,649.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

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UNITED STA'rhss PATENT orricr..

Moens F. rAfrfroN, or rUsoALoosA, ALABAMA, Assreivnn 'ro A. scHaAnEns soN, INCORPORATED, or encontrar, NEW wenn, A oonronA'rroN or NEW YORK.

DUST-CAP :FOR VAL`VE-TEMS.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

Application led February 26, 19155, Serial No. 10,773. Renewed .Tune 14, 1917. Serial No. 174,791.

To atl 'w hom it may concern.'

Be it lmown that I, Moens F. PA'rfroN, a' citizen of the United States of America, residing at Tuscaloosa, in the county of Tuscaloosa and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dust-Caps for Valve-Sterns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in dust caps for tire valve stems., and my object is to simplify and quicken the manner of attaching and detaching the cap from the stem without appreciably increasing the caps cost over the present type of dust caps and their attaching means.

Jaccording to my invention the dust cap has its lower end slotted and provided internally with threads to form a split nut. The split end of the cap is adapted to be received in a sleeve which serves as a packing washer and has an internal wedge 'surface for contracting the threaded end portions of the cap to and forcing them together as a completed nut to mesh with the threads on the valve stem and retain the cap in position.

A further object of my invention is to simplify the manner of holding the dust cap and sleeve assembled and to this end l provide either a raised annular shoulder on the dust cap and a ring nut in the outer end of the sleeve to form a stop for the shoulder or I interlock the sleeve and dust cap by a stop pin and slot which permits of the necessary relative movements longitudinally of the cap to contract or release the split nut from the valve stem, or I adapt some other suitable form of connection.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts which in their preferred embodiments only are hereinafter more particularly de scribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specifi cation, and in which Figure l is a vertical sectional view through the cap and sleeve showing the cap releasedfromthe valve stem. o

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the cap nut interloclred with the valve stem.

Fig. 3 shows the several parts juxtaposed and ready for assembling.

Fig. 4f is a view similar to Fig. l of a modfication of my invention in which a pin and elongated slot are substituted for the shoulder and nut.

Similar reference numerals refer to simi lar parts throughout the drawings.

The dust cap l is similar to the present style of dust capabeing formed as a thin tubular metal body provided at an intermediate point with an annular bead or shoulder 2 and in its lower portion below the bead having a plurality of vertical slots 5 terminating at their upper ends in enlarged openings il. Preferably there are four of these slots and openings punched in the inner end of the cap and they are arranged equi-distantly about the cap. There are' thus formed a series of movable arms which constitute longitudinal extension of the cap portions. llhese arms are prefer ably 1n normally expanded condition, so that they slide vfreely over the valve stem or casing. The outside edge 5 of the split end of the cap is beveled at an incline toward the center line of the cap and internally of the split end of the cap I provide threads 6, preferably by threading this end of the cap before it is slotted so that these threaded sections are adapted, when contracted, to meet and form a continuous nut. Both the slotted end and the shoulder 2 on the cap are adapted to be received in a sleeve member 7, the lower end of which is pressed or drawn inwardly to form an annular contracted. beveled or wedge surface 8 below which it is outturned sharply at 9 and formed to provide a seat for the ring packing l0. This end 9 and the packing l0 of the sleeve are adapted to engage the wheel rim and take the place of the ordinary packing nut.

When the beveled face 5 of the slotted sections of the cap is forced downwardly against the wedge face 8 of the sleeve the nut sections are contracted into engagement with the threads on the valve stem ll. rlhe n per end of the sleeve 7 is internally threaded at l2 and an annular nut 13 is en ternally threaded to engage the threads 12. The bore of the nut 13 is adapted to receive the cap l with a close sliding t and it is preferably provided with an annular pack` ing` ring lll in the bore which will prevent moisture or dirt working inwardly along the cap 2 to sleeve l'. The nut 13 is provided with an upper beveled shoulder l5 which is adapted to' engage the top ofthe sleeve 7 and has opposite openings 16 to receive a Spanner wrench.

In the construction shown 1n Fig. 4: the

Vsleeve 7n, corresponding to 7, is provided near its upper end with a set screw or stop pin 17 and above that with an annular' groove 18 which receives a ring packing 19 adapted to project slightly into the'bore of the sleeve. YThecap 1a is similar to 1 eX- cept'that it has no shoulder 2 but instead is provided with a vertically elongated slot 20 adapted to receive the pin orset screw 1.7 and interlock the'sleeveand cap while permitting them suiiicientwrelative longitudinalmovement to provide for the expanding or contracting of the split nut of the cap. The packing 18will permit Vthe dust cap to be passed through it but will prevent moisture and grit working in between the cap andthe sleeve. In Vthis arrangement the g sleeve lits snugly about the'cap.

yIt will be `noted that the several parts can be-'very simply and cheaply manufactured of spun or drawn tubing and but a minimum number ofparts are required to accomplish the purposes Ifhave in view.

' Inpractice, to apply the cap, the sleeve is VYpassed freely over the valve stem and the cap is forced' down untilits nut iscontracted into Yengagement with the threaded valve stem, whereupon the cap andsleeve are given a half turn which firmly interlocks the cap to the stemV and presses the packing againstl the wheel member. yTo remove the y cap it is only necessary to-give the cap a reverse halil turn and lift the cap which will permit its nut to spreadand release the valve stem when Vthe 'cap and Vsleeve can be lifted freely from oil the valve stem.

While I *have shown land described one form of the invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto,

Y since various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention in its preferred embodiment and with the understanding that fit may `be variously modified stem, and retaining means comprising interloclring .shoulders on cap and sleeve adapted to hold the cap from disengagement from the sleeve while leaving it lree for limited longitudinal movement therein for the purposes described.

2. A cap for valve stems comprising, in combination, a sleeve surrounding the valve stem and forming a washer at'its rim engaging end and having an internal contracted tapering portion, an integral dust cap having its open end longitudinally slotted and internally threaded, the threaded end of the dust cap being adapted by engagement with said wedging portion et the sleeve to be collapsed into engagement with the threads on the valve stem, and step means to lprevent the disengagement oi' the vcap from the sleeve while leaving said parts free for limited relative longitudinal movements.

In a device oi the character described, a dust cap Vhaving its open end longitudinally slotted and internally threaded, a sleeve adapted to receive the dust cap and having a wedging portion adapted to engage and collapse the slotted threaded end oin the cap, detachable means to hold the cap and sleeve assembled while permitting limited relative longitudinal movements, and means to pack the joints between `the cap and sleeve and between the sleeve and the wheel rim, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a tubular member constituting the body of the device and having formed as extensions thereof a series of spring arms, said spring arms being provided at their lower ends with screwthreads, and a foot portion surrounding said spring arms and having a shoulder adapted to move said spring arms inwardly when the foot portion is stationary and the tubular member is pressed toward it, and said foot member extending upwardly around said tubular member to a point beyond said spring arms.

5. A dust cap having spring arms and a footportion adapted to engage a stationary part, and having means for compressing said arms, when said arms are pressed inwardly and a portion extending upwardly above said spring means to form a bearing face Jfor the cap portion.

6. A. dust cap having an elongated cap portion formed at its lower ends with a series of integral spring` arms constituting extensions of said cap portion, and a` foot portion encircling said cap portion and provided with a beveled portion against which said spring arms act, and said foot portion extending upwardly around said cap portion to a point adjacent to the inner ends ot said spring arms.

7. The cembination oi" a. movable member adapted to lit over a screw-tlneaded part, said member having normally expanded movable arms formed as longitudinal extensions thereof, a stationary member with relation to which the First is movable, and said second member having a part adapted to move said movable arms inwardly to engage said threaded part when the movable member is moved relatively to the stationary member.

8. IThe combination oi a tubular member constituting the body of the device and having formed as longitudinal extensions thereof a series olf normally expanded spring arms, said spring arms being provided at their lower ends with sorew-threads, and a foot portion surrounding said spring arms and having a shoulder adapted to move said spring arms inwardly when the loot portion. is stationary and the tubular member is pressed toward it.

9. A. dust cap having a cap portion, a series ot normally expanded spring arms forming longitudinal extensions of said cap portion, said spring arms having threads at their lower ends, and a toot member having a shoulder adapted to force said threaded ends toward oaoh other when the Cap 'portion is pressed into the foot portion.

10. rl dust Cap having a Cap portieri, a series of normally expanded spring arms tor-ming longitudinal extensions of said cap portion, said spring arms having threads at their lower ends, and a foot member having a shoulder adapted to force said threaded ends toward eaoh other when the cap portion is pressed into the foot portion, said toot portion enI riding upwardly to a point bevind said sign-ing arms.

11. A dust cap having a eap portion having` Jformed integral therewith a series of normally expanded spring arms, said springl arms hilf-fing threads adapted to engage a sorew-threaiiled *alve or the lilre, and a il'oot portion. having a shoulder adapted to engage the ends oil said spring arms te move them inwardly when said cap portion is pressed into tire toot portion.

12. il dust cap having a oap portion having termed integral therewith a series of normally expanded spring arms, said spring arms havingthreads adapted to engage a screw-threaded valve or the like, and a foot portion having a shoulder adapted to engage the ends of said sprine1 arms to move them inwardly when said cap portion is pressed into the 'toot portion, said ifoot portion eY tending upwardly and having a bearing against said cap portion at a point remote from the ends et said spring` arms.

13. The combination of a movable member adapted to fit over a sorew-threaded part, said member having normally expanded movable arms formed as longitudinal extensions thereof, a second member extending below the ends oi' said arms so as to eontaet with a iixed abutment, and said second member having a part adapted to move said movable arms inwardly to engage the threaded part when the movable member is pressed toward said abutment.

111. The combination ot a tubular member constituting the body of the device and having formed as longitudinal extensions thereof a series of normally expanded spring arms, said spring arms being provided at their lower ends with screw threads, and a foot portion surrounding said spring arms and extending below the ends of said arms so as to adapt it for Contact against a lixed abutment, and said toot portion having a shoulder adapted to move said sprino' arms inwardly when said tubular mem er is pressed toward said abutment.

15. A dust Cap for tire valves, comprising .a base or foot portion, a tubular easing having internally threaded parts adapted to be sprung into Contact with the threaded portion of a tire valve, and a sleeve around said threaded parts ot less height than said easing and forming a closure around said threaded parts, said base having means eooperating with said threaded parts to torce them into Contact with said threaded portion oi' a tire valve.

16. A dust oap for tire valves, comprising a base or foot portion, a tubular easing having internally threaded parts adapted to be sprung into Contact with the threaded portion of a tire valve, and a sleeve around said threaded parts oi less height than said easing and forming a closure around said threaded parts, said base having means cooperating with said threaded parts to force them into Contact with said threaded portion of a tire valve, said sleeve being formed as an extension oit said base portion.

17. A. dust cap for tire valves, comprising a tubular easing having internally threaded parts adapted to be sprung into, Contact with the threaded portion of a tire valve, means for forcing said threaded parts into Contact with said threaded portion of a tire valve, and a sleeve around said threaded parts, of less height than said easing and forming a closure around said threaded parts.

18. A dust cap for tire valves, comprising a tubular easing having a closed portion and having one end slitted to form arms, said arms being internally provided with threaded parts and adapted to be sprung into contact with the tlneadedportion of a tire valve, means for forcing the threaded parts of said arms into Contact with said threaded portion of' a tire valve, and a sleeve of less height than said casing and forming a closure around said slitted part ot the easing.

In testimony whereof l aiiix my signature in presence et two witnesses.

MOSES F. PATTON.

Witnesses:

P. F. Dnvow, Mrs. HENRY MURPHY, J r. 

